Pakistan raises oil prices, fueling anger

Pakistan hiked oil prices by 9.9 percent Tuesday, a shift that threatens the stability of the easily broken, U.S.-allied civilian government at a time of financial turmoil in the poor country.

Spikes in international oil market prices urged by uprisings in Libya and other parts of North Africa and the Middle East forced the heave in Pakistani prices, said Jawad Nasim, a spokesman for the country's oil watchdog. The price of a liter (0.26 gallon) of petrol went from 72.96 rupees (85 cents) to 80.19 rupees (94 cents).

Resistance parties and even some associates of Pakistan's governing coalition right away denounced the raise.

Haider Abbas Rizvi, a elder member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, said the price boost was offensive because it would further weigh down Pakistan citizens, who are already struggling to deal with double-digit increase and chronic power deficiency.